The pottery of the Sereer and the tumuli of Senegambia

Stéphane Pradines

Abstract

There are a total of 6,868 tumuli in Senegal made of earth or sand, spread across 1444 sites. In addition, there are 3,448 megalithic-type tumuli and 903 made of shells.

This widespread distribution does not indicate an homogeneous phenomenon. The ¹⁴C dates gathered from the excavated sites in Sine and Saloum, or in the middle Senegal valley, do not contradict this. As research stands at present, the Senegambian tumuli date from the first two millennia of our era - more precisely from the fourth to the twentieth centuries AD. Historical accounts show that the Sereer have built up burial tumuli in this region since at least the 16th century.

Senegal and Gambia

Knowledge of the Senegambian tumuli is very limited. Anthropological and historical research may help us to pose certain questions. This study is the first stage in identifying different ceramic cultures between the ethnic groups which inhabited Senegambia. The Sine and Saloum seem to be a key sector in understanding the phenomenon of the Senegambian tumuli.

This paper is in French only.

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